News
Innovative low-cost carrier Flydubai to launch flights to Maldives from January 2013
Maldives Promotion House – Flydubai, Dubai’s innovative low-cost airline, has announced flights to Malé, the capital of the Maldives.
Commencing on 19 January 2013, flights will operate five times a week between Dubai’s Terminal 2 and the Maldives’ Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in Malé.
Bringing Flydubai’s presence in the Indian Subcontinent to nine points across six countries, the new route will allow travellers from across the region to enjoy affordable fares to one of the world’s most renowned leisure destinations.
“We are very excited about adding Malé to our destination network,” said Flydubai’s CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith.
“As the first low-cost carrier from the UAE to fly to the Maldives, we are making this island paradise even more accessible to travellers across our network. Flydubai offers a low-cost model with innovation and excellent service. This proposition has proved very popular with our passengers and will undoubtedly be a draw for those looking to experience one of the world’s top holiday spots at an affordable price.”
Voted the number one island destination in the Indian Ocean by Condé Nast Traveller readers, the Maldives has advanced its tourism credentials by promoting its rich culture, vast array of luxury resort experiences, exotic culinary experiences and adventure sports ranging from paragliding to diving. The country has also remained committed to protecting its diverse ecology and champions environmentally-friendly activities. The result has been a consistent growth in visitor numbers over the years, with the Maldives welcoming almost a million tourists in 2011 – a leap of 17.6% over 2010.
The country has proved particularly popular amongst travellers from Russia, CIS and GCC, with figures revealing a 15.7% increase in tourist arrivals in the first quarter of this year compared to January to March 2011.
The report also highlighted a 77.8% increase in passengers from the Middle East over the same period with the growth linked to the opening of a number of Middle East-based hotel chains, such as Jumeirah Group’s Vittaveli Maldives which opened in December 2011. Flydubai flies to 16 points in the CIS and CEE, and more than 20 points in the Middle East.
“We anticipate a strong demand for flights from the GCC, in particular Kuwait, as well as markets such as Russia, CIS and Central & Eastern Europe. Thanks to our strong presence in both these regions, passengers will be able to fly to the Maldives via our Dubai hub,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith.
“This will be our first launch in 2013 and we look forward to welcoming passengers from across our network to this wonderful country.”
The Maldives is widely regarded as one of the world’s top holiday spots. It comprises of 1,190 coral islands, formed around 26 natural ring-like atolls and spread over 90,000 square kilometres. With a maximum natural ground level of only 2.4 metres, it is also the lowest country in the world, making it a water-lover’s paradise.
The Maldives will be the latest addition to Flydubai’s growing network of more than 50 destinations in 32 countries, spanning the GCC, Middle East, North Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Asia and Central & Eastern Europe.
The representative for FlyDubai as the GSA distributor in the Maldives is Inner Maldives Holidays.
Family
Reethi Faru Resort celebrates Halloween with family activities and costume party
On 31 October, Reethi Faru Resort invites guests to discover a different side of the Maldives, as the island transforms into a tropical Halloween escape filled with family fun, creative costumes, music, themed dining and unforgettable island moments.
Set against the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Halloween at Reethi Faru brings together the playful spirit of the season with the natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere of a Maldivian island. From afternoon activities for younger guests to an evening costume celebration, the programme offers something for everyone.

Halloween Fun for Little Ones
The celebrations begin with a dedicated afternoon of Halloween fun for younger guests. Children can get into the spirit of the occasion with face painting, themed games and specially curated activities designed to encourage creativity, imagination and plenty of laughter.
Families are invited to embrace the occasion together, with little ones transforming into their favourite Halloween characters before enjoying an afternoon of playful island adventures.
A Night of Costumes, Music and Celebration
As the sun sets and the island takes on a different atmosphere, the celebrations continue with the Halloween Costume Party.
Guests are invited to dress up and join an evening of DJ music, dancing and Halloween entertainment, with the island providing a unique tropical setting for creative costumes and festive fun.
From mysterious characters to imaginative creations, the costume party brings guests together for an evening where the unexpected feels right at home in paradise.
A Halloween Feast with a Tropical Twist
Food is at the heart of every celebration, and Halloween at Reethi Faru is no exception.
The resort’s culinary team will create a specially themed Halloween buffet, featuring a selection of international and local flavours presented with a creative seasonal twist. From the buffet to the bar, the Halloween spirit continues with specially prepared Halloween cocktails, adding a playful finishing touch to the evening.

Halloween Under the Maldivian Sky
Celebrating Halloween in the Maldives offers a setting unlike any other.
As darkness falls, the sounds of the ocean replace the bustle of everyday life, while the moonlight reflects across the lagoon and the island’s tropical surroundings create an atmospheric backdrop for the evening’s celebrations.
This combination of Halloween tradition and Maldivian island life makes the experience at Reethi Faru distinctive. The result is a celebration that feels festive and familiar, yet entirely at home in paradise.
Whether travelling with family, enjoying a romantic escape or simply looking to experience the Maldives in a different way, guests can join the festivities and create their own Halloween memories on the island.
A Different Kind of Halloween
On 31 October, Reethi Faru Resort invites guests to leave the ordinary behind and experience Halloween where tropical island life meets the spirit of the season.
With creative activities, costumes, music, cuisine and the beauty of the Maldivian night providing the backdrop, Halloween at Reethi Faru offers a celebration that is playful, atmospheric and uniquely island-inspired.
News
Nova Maldives invites independent travellers to reconnect during Solo Traveller Month
With solo travel increasing year on year, and more independent travellers seeking purpose, flexibility and meaningful connection, Nova Maldives opens its shores to the solo spirit for a late summer reset.
Following PADI AWARE Week centered on marine conservation and ocean stewardship, the month is set to take an inward turn for the return of Solo Traveller Month, dedicated to holidays for one, with thematic practitioner-led sessions and holistic experiences that can be enjoyed alone, or with newfound company.
A Weekend of Coming Home to Yourself
From 25-30 September, the resort will welcome Pika Dubey, award-winning ELLE Mental Wellness Expert 2025 and founder of The Head Space Lab to host three workshops open to all guests, designed to form a journey that promotes self-discovery, anchoring, and release:
- Notes to Self: Guided Journaling & Reflection: With prompts and helpful tips for guests to discover where they are, pause and reflect, and reconnect with what matters most to them.
- The Reconnection Circle: A heart-to-heart workshop on emotional wellbeing, boundaries and life transitions, using psychological frameworks, closing with a “letter to your future self” exercise to put insights into words.
- The Ritual of Release: A symbolic fire ceremony that turns reflection into action, letting burdens go and making space for what comes next.
Pika is an experienced professional who has dedicated her career to progressing mental health education and awareness across India. Having partnered with organisations to extend mental health access to underserved communities, and as an alumna of the National Healthcare Academy, Yale and Harvard, she brings a wealth of hands-on experience to equipping people with the tools to build resilience and cultivate inner peace at every stage in life.
The Journey Continues, At Your Own Pace
Beyond these sessions, travellers can also sample additional experiences at Nova that fosters stillness, with a chance to experiment with a retreat-style experience without signing up to a fixed schedule. The resort weekly programme ranges from group yoga across various modalities: from Vinyasa to Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) and Hatha, to sound baths with singing bowls, gongs and ocean drums, and Bodu Beru drumming classes rooted in Maldivian tradition, a meditative practice that encourages bonding through shared beats and vibrations.

Elsewhere on the island, solos can graze on plant-based Maldivian small bites at Soul Kitchen’s all-day dining, or slip beneath the surface to snorkel and dive alongside whale sharks and manta rays. For something more private still, curated sandbank escapes offer guests a slice of paradise entirely their own, after which they can settle into Mizu, the resort’s overwater pavilion, for a Teppanyaki dinner inspired by seafood and seaweed under the open sky.
These experiences reflect Nova’s belief in conscious connection, prioritising quality over quantity, where casual gatherings and shared moments create a natural setting for like-minded travellers to meet and connect over common interests.
Whether venturing out for their first solo trip or their tenth, Nova invites travellers to embrace a softer escape and experience the beauty of the South Ari Atoll. Beach Villas are available to book from £363/night and Water Villas from £439/night on Full Board, with up to 50% off room rates on nova-maldives.com.
News
Sun Siyam marks Golden Week across Iru Veli, Vilu Reef with dining and island experiences
This Golden Week, Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, two of Sun Siyam’s Privé Collection retreats in the Maldives, invite guests to celebrate one of the year’s most anticipated holiday periods with seven days of island experiences centred around togetherness, gastronomy, wellbeing and discovery.
From 1 to 7 October 2026, both resorts will bring their own character to the occasion, combining thoughtful Chinese-inspired touches with the warmth, natural beauty and sense of place that define a Sun Siyam escape. From sharing memorable meals and slowing down at the spa to discovering the Indian Ocean together, couples, families and friends can experience Golden Week at their own pace.

Golden Week at Sun Siyam Iru Veli
At Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Golden Week is shaped around time well spent together, with gastronomy and shared experiences at the heart of the programme.
Chinese-inspired flavours and hotpot experiences bring a familiar taste of the occasion to the island, while lantern-lit evenings by the beach combine dining with live entertainment and the sound of the Indian Ocean. Maldivian touches are woven throughout the week, adding a strong sense of place and allowing guests to experience the destination alongside the celebration.

Beyond the table, the programme creates plenty of opportunities to slow down, reconnect and explore. Ocean Spa brings a restorative element to the week with a special herbal rejuvenation offer, while younger guests can enjoy playful cultural activities at Turtle Kidz Club.
For those looking for adventure, the waters surrounding Dhaalu Atoll offer another side to Golden Week. Guests can set out in search of whale sharks, discover the underwater world through scuba diving, or take to the lagoon with flyboarding and extended Jet Car rides.
Whether spent exploring beneath the surface or simply enjoying time together by the ocean, the week is designed to leave guests the freedom to experience the island in their own way.

For more information and to view the detailed programme of Sun Siyam Iru Veli, please visit the resort’s website.
Golden Week at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef
At Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, Golden Week takes on a spirited ocean-inspired character, bringing together vibrant dining, family experiences, wellbeing and aquatic adventure.
The culinary journey moves from dedicated Chinese live-cooking stations to seafood barbecues beside the Indian Ocean. For a distinctly Maldivian experience, Golden Catch & Grill invites guests to head out onto the water, catch their own fish and enjoy it freshly prepared in traditional island style.

The celebration continues beyond the dining table. The Spa offers restorative wellness rituals for guests looking to slow down, while Island Movie Magic brings families together for cinema by the sea.
Out on the water, family dive journeys, guided Seabob experiences, introductory scuba excursions and the snorkelling adventures offer different ways to discover the surrounding marine world. As the day draws to a close, Golden Hour Jet Car rides bring an exhilarating finish to the afternoon against the colours of the Maldivian sunset.

For more information and to view the detailed programme of Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, please visit the resort’s website.
Two Islands, Two Ways to Celebrate
While Iru Veli and Vilu Reef each bring their own personality to Golden Week, both reflect the spirit of Sun Siyam’s Privé Collection: intimate island escapes where experiences feel personal, days unfold naturally and the Maldives remains at the heart of every stay.
From sharing a hotpot beside the ocean and discovering Maldivian flavours to exploring tropical reefs or simply watching the sunset together, the programmes are designed around what matters most during Golden Week, having the time and space to reconnect with the people who matter.
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